Here is the tool Matt originally invented out of an old bed frame section.

Matt and his wife Carissa posed for a picture on their wedding day in front of the Ford Model A.

Matt Finn can now include “inventor” on his list of accomplishments. Finn, a 2002 graduate of Southwest Tech’s auto collision repair program, created the Spot Weld Chisel, a repair tool designed for use on automobiles. The tool became available for purchase in October.

According to Finn, who lives in Prairie du Chien, the idea for this tool came to him about 10 years ago. He had purchased a 1931 Ford Model A that he wanted to transform into a hot rod.

The Crossing Rivers Health Center for Specialty Care is now open to patients in a new, expanded location on the second floor of Crossing Rivers Health in Prairie du Chien. The center offers urology, orthopedics, gynecology, ENT, podiatry, allergy and asthma, sleep medicine and behavioral health services. (Submitted photo)

The ribbon is cut, and the Crossing Rivers Health Center for Specialty Care is now open to patients in a new, expanded location on the second floor of the Crossing Rivers Health medical center in Prairie du Chien.

Upon completion of the construction of the medical center in 2015, space was left unfinished on the second floor and reserved for future growth opportunities. In June this year, Crossing Rivers began the work to finish this space, which is now home to a growing list of specialty care providers, including urology, orthopedics, gynecology, ENT, podiatry, allergy and asthma, sleep medicine and behavioral health.

The Grant County Crimestoppers are seeking information about a theft in Millville Township that happened sometime over the past month and a half.

According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Department, sometime between Nov. 2 and Dec. 15, an unknown individual trespassed on 100 acres on Military Ridge Road in Millville Township. Stolen were two ladder tree stands and one climbing tree stand. Two Moultrie trail cameras were also taken.

The sheriff’s department has no suspects at this time. The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (608) 723-2157 or Grant County Crimestoppers at (800) 789-6600.

Kersten “Rocky” Rocksvold, who represents the third district on the Crawford County Board of Supervisors, has filed Declaration of Non-Candidacy papers with the County Clerk. Anyone who is interested in running for this position should contact the County Clerk’s Office for the paperwork. Nomination papers must be filed in the County Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

Two area residents suffered minor injuries in a one-vehicle rollover in rural Prairie du Chien Dec. 13, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Department.

At about 7:20 p.m., Brittney McCollough, 19, of Fennimore, was driving her 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer east on Highways 18/35 in Wyalusing Township when her vehicle left the right side of the roadway while negotiating a curve.

McCollough overcorrected, trying to reenter the roadway,and lost control of her vehicle. She then left the south side of the roadway, rolling the vehicle.

McCollough and her passenger, Brett Wilkinson, 18, also of Fennimore, were transported to Crossing Rivers Health by West Grant EMS for non-life threatening injuries. Both parties were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. Assisting at the scene were Bloomington Fire, Bagley First Responders and Bob’s Towing out of Prairie du Chien.

On Tuesday night, the Prairie du Chien Common Council met to discuss the 2018 Marquette Road Project, North Michigan Street Project, the Villa Louis Boat Landing Project, the marina and salaries and compensations.

A public information meeting for the 2018 Marquette Road Project is scheduled for Feb. 1. It is expected that work will begin in the spring. The council clarified that the frequently used, paved recreational trails within the construction area will remain after construction.

North Michigan Street
The North Michigan Street Project will include work on the entire sewer system. Additionally, driveways and sidewalks will be redone in the process, along with other fixtures. The base bid, which will open in January, is to include North Michigan Street with two alternatives. These alternatives are from the Haydn Street alley to Illinois Street and on Park Street from Michigan Street to Illinois Street.

An area fisherman was rescued after falling through thin ice Saturday in rural Prairie du Chien.

According to the Crawford County Sheriff's Department, at about 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, the county dispatch center was notified that a man had fallen through the ice on Gremore Lake. Roger Swatek, 65, of Wauzeka, was ice fishing when the ice gave way and he fell into the water. Other fishermen attempted to help Swatek when they became stranded in their ice fishing sleds in the open water. Another fisherman came and assisted the Bridgeport Fire Department with the rescue by utilizing his air boat. Swatek was taken to shore and transported to Crossing Rivers Health for medical evaluation.

A 66-year-old Soldiers Grove man has been charged in Crawford County Circuit Court with one count of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (fifth or sixth offense), and one count of possession of marijuana.

Mark B. Sherry faces up to 10.5 years in prison and $26,000 in fines if convicted of both counts.

According to the criminal complaint, a state trooper was on duty in the village of Soldiers Grove when he noticed a vehicle with too dark of window tint than is allowed by law. The trooper pulled the vehicle over and smelled the odor of intoxicants when he made contact with the driver.